The holidays are a time for family, food, drinks and posting all of it on Instagram, right? And if you don’t post your holiday festivities they might as well not have happened. I cannot recollect a time that I didn’t document my life on social media. At 14 I armed myself with a digital camera and a Myspace profile to give my friends and strangers an all access pass to my life, doing that has never seemed weird or out of place. I dare to say that not doing it seems more strange. In the last 14 years, my choice of social media and technology has changed. I have used the last 6 iPhones, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Vine, Twitter, and Tumblr to document milestones and life. My Facebook account is my longest relationship, Happy 10-year Anniversary to me! While I grew up with a sense of ease and comfort using social media and technology it doesn’t mean that it always came easy. There is a new social media app every year it seems and we all need to learn it to seem relevant. Snapchat was one of those apps for me. Initially, when millennials younger than I caught on to it I immediately dismissed it as some teenage fad and made fun of it. I made fun of it because I didn’t understand it. Snapchat has been around since 2011 but people in my circles didn’t start utilizing it until 2015. I avoided signing up because I didn’t want to ask people how it worked because I didn’t want to appear out of the know and I just didn’t care enough to Google it. I don’t think it was until their filters came out that I signed up. I sucked it up and asked my teenage cousin how it worked, to my dismay he didn’t make fun of me for being out of the loop. Quite the contrary. We sat there for a good 15 minutes bonding and practicing, it was great. My lesson is this, don’t be afraid of the unknown, looking dumb, or asking questions. The only constant in life is change and that includes technology. Be bold, evolve with it.

It doesn’t matter what side of the Presidential election you were on, one thing that we can agree on is how much social media and fake news impacted the decisions of many voters. Google and Facebook now realize that having incorrect information is just as bad as having none and they are working together to ban fake news sites from their platforms.

The U.S election was extremely popular on social media and the closer we got to November 8th the more intense and more frequent the posting became. While this would have been something to discuss before the election Google and Facebook are taking steps to make sure this doesn’t happen again. Google has updated its policy to say that the company will attempt to ban sites that “misrepresent, misstate or conceal information.” Google went on to say that sites that do not comply with this rule will be banned from using Google AdSense. Facebook has also updated its policy to rule out fake news sites from using Facebook Audience Network. Both tech giants have explicitly said that they will not advertise fake news stories and will work on their algorithms and continue to aggressively vet people using those services. The behemoth that is Facebook can no longer ignore how much power they have in distributing information to the American people. Google did not escape harsh criticism either and were held accountable for putting too much prominence on false news stories.

But will cutting them off be enough?

While their approaches will make it harder for fake news sites to bring in revenue, they will not completely disappear. Facebook and Google have started to address the issue of misinformation but solving this problem will take more than just an ad ban.

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions we might be looking for you. Stanton Street is looking to hire a web developer with mad coding and troubleshooting skills. No negative attitudes or big egos need apply. We prefer a friendly positive work environment. If you think it has what it takes check out this job description and apply here!

Google has a multitude of services and it’s hard to keep them all straight most of the time. What’s important to growing your business and what can be put on the back burner until you figure out how it works? A Google service that you should definitely NOT be slipping on is claiming your business. What does claiming your business even mean and why is it important? Google My Business is a free, super easy to use tool for your business. This is another way that you can manage your online presence.

Why it’s Important?

Managing the information that Google users see when they search for your business or products is very important and makes you seem more reputable. When you have claimed your business or products on Google you are able to update pictures of your store front or products, your hours of operation, website, and street address. Interacting with your customers is huge and claiming your business is just another way you are able to do so online. When you claim your business you also have the ability to respond to reviews whether they be positive or negative.

How can not claiming your business be harmful?

Not claiming your business if definitely NOT a good idea. As I mentioned previously an unclaimed page looks bad and not as reputable. It could be displaying the wrong information, or even worse someone could have already claimed it. Having to reclaim you business is super inconvenient and time consuming.

If you would like more information on how to go about claiming your business check out this link. You could also give us a call at 915.351.8440 and we would be happy to point you in the right direction and in the meantime, take a peek at our beautifully claimed business.

Technology definitely is not what it used to be, and thanks to augmented reality the way we play games might never be the same. Recently there has been a game that is utilizing augmented reality and physical activity to get people off the couch and on their feet. If the term augmented reality has you scratching your head, no worries we can break it down for you.

Augmented Reality is essentially the blending of virtual objects and inserting them into your real life. Pokémon GO is an augmented reality game that has captured our attention, our hearts, and more importantly our data. The game became a huge sensation overnight. I grew up playing Pokémon the very old school way with a deck of cards, then slowly it merged into handheld devices where it lived comfortably until now. Pokémon GO was developed by Niantic for iOS and Android devices. Essentially if you haven’t been living under a rock the game utilizes your phone camera and GPS to capture, battle and train Pokémon. The Pokémon appear on your screen via the camera and appear in your real world. All the characters that you grew up with and loved are literally all in your backyard and your neighborhood. You just have to get up and find them.

This isn’t the first time that we have seen augmented reality being utilized. You see this when you are watching a football game on television. The lines on the field outlining the yards to achieving a touch down, the military uses some AR technology as well to train troops. The difference between Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality are huge, virtual reality creates an entire virtual world for you to see. It has all been created by a computer and you need to wear special goggles or glasses to see the world around you. All that is necessary to view an augmented reality is a smart phone and an app such as Pokémon GO. So what the heck are you waiting for? Get out there and Catch Em All.

The navigation is designed to let you browse the communities with ease. You are able to find maps and floors plans right from the homepage. You are able to view the floorplans on large color images that you can view from any desktop or mobile device. You can also search the rates and forms from the homepage. Each site displays their uniqueness yet has the same familiarity as the other. Identifying the amenities that are important to you is easy to find on all six sites. We have made them a part of the main navigation so you can understand how the community will benefit you and your family. Locating and understanding what each community has to offer is quick and easy. You are able to search though loads of helpful information via the Community Information tab. Community information also looks great on any desktop or mobile device. There is a Contact Us tab conveniently located in the navigation of all sites as well as on the bottom of every homepage.

The colorful and welcoming homepage makes understanding your allergies and symptoms easy. It is full of information about what you are going through, symptoms you might be experiencing, and even treatment information for little ones. The homepage is broken up into three sections that allow you browse easily. The first section allows you to get to know Dr. York and read a little more into his knowledge and expertise. The second is broken up into three easy-to-read boxes: Symptoms We Treat, Treatment, and What Causes Allergies. At the bottom of the homepage, you will find some very useful maps that will help you identify one of his 3 locations that are convenient no matter what side of town that you live on.

The six navigation tabs located at the top of the site are easy to read and can take you to any section of the site quickly. Stanton Street has also made contacting Dr. York easier than ever. There a Contact Us button right at the top of the homepage as well as a tab in the navigation. The contact form is easy to read and fill out so your questions can be answered quickly by the Dr. York team.

Stop suffering through allergy season, check out Dr. York online, we did. If you have a specialty and you need help revamping your online presence; or if you need to build from scratch, fill out our contact form and let’s get coding.

The Fountains at Farah is no stranger to the creative and professional work that we do here at Stanton Street. They saw such results from their website that we did for them they had us recreate the same magic but in Spanish. Stanton Street never says no to a challenge so we took the project head on.

The Spanish version of The Fountains at Farah site can be accessed straight from the homepage of its English counterpart. At the top right of the webpage you will see an “Español” option, by clicking on it you translate the site into Spanish. The pages are still bright and beautiful. There is no new functionality to re-learn, it’s all the same great website you were accustomed to using. The Visita page allows you to understand what The Fountains at Farah is about in a language that you are comfortable with. From this page you are able to view hours and an easy to enlarge map with directions on how to arrive at the mall. You are able to view the Servicios/ Amenities in both English and Spanish with the click of a button. You can comfortably locate the stores and restaurants that you and your family love by clicking on the Directorio page. The Event calendar has been translated into the Calendario De Eventos so you can keep up with all the fun family events The Fountains at Farah has to offer.

If you are interested in contacting the mall you can click on their Contactanos page. You are able to submit your information in Spanish and you can expect the same quick service that The Fountains at Farah provides. If you are interested in leasing your store at the mall the rentar tab has all the information that you need. As you can see our work shines in English or in Spanish, nothing gets lost in our translation. If you want Stanton Street to help make your site bilingual give us a call 915.351.8440.

The Classic American homepage displays eye catching, high resolution images that really capture the quality of home that Classic American produces. Discovering what Classic American Homes has to offer you have never been easier. Right from the homepage you are able to Find Your Dream Home. You can select a desired location or search by community. You can narrow down or expand your price range and square feet you are interested in, as well as how many rooms and bathrooms your family needs. This is an extremely useful way of searching for homes in our region are not limited to viewing from a desktop. You are able to view every single aspect of the site from any mobile device or tablet.

The navigation is clean and allows you to explore Classic American even further. The Communities tab will allow you to explore all the areas in El Paso where you are able to buy a home through them. The color coded map is very helpful in identifying different areas, especially if you are new to El Paso. There are several different floor plans that you can view on the website. You can view the price range, square feet, beds, baths, and levels of a particular house before even clicking your mouse. Model Homes are available to view on the site and you can set up an appointment to meet with an agent and view the home in person. If you are in need of a home right away or you know exactly what you want there is also an option to explore homes that are Move- In Ready. Finding what resources that are available to you are great for first time home buyers and current homeowners. From the Resource tab you can also understand what kind of Customer Care Classic American Homes will provide you with.

Whether you are purchasing a home for the first time, buying a new one, submitting a warranty request or are strictly browsing this site has it all. Stanton Street and Classic American Home has created a place for it all to coexist together. If you are thinking about redesigning your website, need consulting help, or what a full on redesign, Stanton Street has you covered. Give us a call at 915.351.8440.

Shopping online is fast and super convenient for a lot of people with busy lives . You are able to easily shop for items from the comfort of your home while in your pajamas sipping a cup of your favorite coffee. If you are a frequently buying things online you might has been burned a couple of times by the seller or company that you are purchasing from. It’s unfortunate and a real pain to finally get it worked out. I have narrowed down some tips and ideas to help you stay safe online while purchasing your favorite items.

Familiar Sites Are Key: When shopping online make sure that site you are using is something you are familiar with. Those ads on the right side of your Facebook page look enticing because the prices are good but do we really know who they are or where they are from? Do your research. Also, make sure that site you are looking for is spelled correctly and has the correct suffix. For example if you know the site you are looking for is a .com but you are taken to the .net site that is a clear indication that you are not on the correct page.

Keep Some Things Private: There is no online store that is going to ask you for your social security number. Never give out your social security number. Some sites will ask you for your birthday to sign you up for newsletters but that is up to your discretion to sign up for that or not.

Lock It Up: In a previous article we discussed the difference between HTTP and HTTPS. Remember to always look for the icon of a locked padlock usually in the status bar at the top of your web browser. Remember to never give your credit card information over email.

Look At Your Statements Online: Don’t wait until your statement comes in the mail it might be too late by then. Log in to your account regularly and make sure they have been no fraudulent charges. In the event that you do find something suspicious. Banks usually give you 30 days to notify them,but make sure you address the issue quickly.

Don’t Use Public Computers: Using public computers to purchase items is a really bad idea. However, if you absolutely must make sure that you sign out when you are done. Also, be very aware of your surroundings things such as people standing or sitting a little too close for comfort.

Online shopping isn’t as scary as you think. If you are careful and follow your statements and purchases closely you have a really good shot at catching something right when it happens. Keep this tips in mind and have a safe online experience.